the Don of Division Street: Press

Matt Cadenelli steps out from behind the drums to work on his anger issues.



[SINGER-GODFATHER] “There are so many Matts,” Matt Cadenelli says of his singular sobriquet, the Don of Division Street. “I was glad when that stuck; it was something different I could perform under.” Cadenelli got the nickname after working two jobs on Southeast Division. No doubt partly due to his ethnic surname, one Detour Cafe employee likened him to a mafia boss, roaming the avenue and collecting dues.

On Animals in Love, Cadenelli’s debut CD under the handle, the singer-songwriter—who plays drums for local acts including Fernando and Dr. Theopolis—travels a street dividing his own darkness and light. Many of the disc’s songs are upbeat pep talks or declarations of love, so it’s shocking when the two penultimate tracks burst forth with palpable rage. “Ezra likes to call me ‘The Hateful Hippie,’” Cadenelli says of co-producer Ezra Holbrook. “I don’t think I’m hateful, but I do have anger issues.” That emotion is exorcised in “Fantasy Girl,” a Positively 4th Street dose of vitriol, and “You’re Gone,” about the overdose death of Cadenelli’s friend and musical partner, Pete Ellis.

Fittingly for a long-delayed debut (the disc was recorded in 2007), the opener is titled “When I Release Me,” though it concerns not albums but that aforementioned anger. “It’s about getting over myself,” Cadenelli says. “Dealing with resentment of circumstances growing up.” The final tune, meanwhile—following that pair of rage-rockers—is the tender ballad “Lost in the Daylight,” featuring Michael Jodell’s gorgeous harmonies on lyrics concerning “a tumultuous past relationship, taking responsibility for my part of the madness.”

Holbrook and Cadenelli have been musical cohorts for years. It was Holbrook’s Dr. Theopolis that lured Cadenelli back into drumming, advancing him a new kit after he’d sold his own during a “broke and jaded” phase. The two have mounted several unique tribute concerts, honoring such disparate acts as Morphine, Neil Young and obscure Athens, Ga., rockers the Glands. “The original idea for the tribute shows was, let’s just have fun instead of constantly promoting ourselves,” says the Don. “That gets really taxing, energetically, so let’s just play some music we love. Of course, it turns out that’s a lotta work too.”

SEE IT: The Don of Division Street releases Animals in Love on Friday, Aug. 7, at the Secret Society Ballroom. 9 pm. $10.

The Don of Division Street rules
by Barbara Mitchell, Special to The Oregonian
Friday August 07, 2009, 8:34 AM


Matt Cadenelli a.k.a. the Don of Division Street
In general, it would be arrogant to brag that you'd never learned to crawl before you learned to fly. But most people aren't Matt Cadenelli. That's what makes his debut album, recorded under the nom de plume the Don of Division Street, so refreshing.

Cadenelli, who can be seen playing drums with such local notables as Fernando, Jaycob Van Auken and Celilo, has clearly spread his wings and soared on his debut album, "Animals in Love."

As Cadenelli is very much aware, the move from drummer to singer/songwriter can be difficult. Thankfully, he's been perfecting these songs for quite some time. The obvious influence of Fernando on songs like "I Never Crawled" and "All Wrong" and Ms. Michael Jodell on "Lost in the Daylight" is apparent. However, Cadenelli makes these songs his own through his laconic and melodic delivery.

"Fernando has definitely influenced me as much as Dylan or Neil Young or John Lennon," Cadenelli says. "I was a huge fan for almost 10 years before I got to play in a band with him. His ability to make interesting pop music with integrity that effortlessly crosses genres is a complete inspiration.

"I certainly steal a bit from everyone I play with," he adds with a laugh.

If Cadenelli never crawled as a songwriter, he never left any evidence. His debut album comes fully realized, chock-full of laid-back nuggets of pop Americana that most veteran singer/songwriters would be proud to call their own.

Some of that can be attributed to a strong supporting cast.

"Everyone who played on this record have been the main musicians/songwriters I've been connected with for years now," Cadenelli says. "Ezra (Holbrook), Lewi Longmire, Matt Brown, Ms. Michael Jodell, Jaycob Van Auken, Rollie Tussing and the Dr. Theopolis Horns."

While bringing in the heavy musical artillery certainly didn't hurt, it's Cadenelli's material that shines brightest. From the opening pop-rock gem, "When I Release Me," through rave-ups like "You're Gone" clear through to the stark and poignant closer "Lost in the Daylight," Cadenelli makes it clear that he's not just the Don of Division Street -- he's a mayoral-quality musical force to be reckoned with.

The Don Of Division Street
Drummers are the butt of many a music-related joke, but on “Animals In Love,” local drummer-about-town Matt Cadenelli reveals himself to be a top-notch songsmith and far more than just a guy who keeps the beat. Going by the moniker “The Don Of Division Street,” Cadenelli – who plays with Fernando, Celilo, Dr. Theopolis, the Lewi Longmire Band and others – has crafted the perfect late summer album, with loads of good-natured pop songs delivered with a laidback flair reminiscent of Tom Petty.

Also known as Matt Cadenelli, one of the go-to drummers in Portland (Cadenelli drums for Fernando and Lotus Isle, among others), The Don of Division Street delivers Americana-soaked pop songs with heart, integrity, and plenty of wisdom. His live songs are both intimate and playful, drawing you in to his world of melody and intrigue, as the drummer-turned-front man takes the mic and the audience is all the better for it.

"The Don indeed. Solid album, but even better live. I can’t wait until they play again in Portland."